DS Interview: Lisa Johnson shares some memories behind rock’s most iconic photos

On December 6th, Punk Rock & Paintbrushes held their 10th annual art show in Los Angeles where they showcased tons of iconic pieces. One of those featured artists was Lisa Johnson. You have definitely seen some of Lisa’s photos before. She’s worked with everyone from Nirvana and Linkin Park, to The Vandals and NOFX. She even took the photos for Smashing Pumpkins “Gish” cover, and Rage Against The Machine’s “Evil Empire” album. Plus all of those black and white Warped Tour photos, you know, the ones on the cover of the compilations? Yeah, that was her! She has had a huge impact on punk rock culture overall, and we got to ask her a couple questions about her career.

Dying Scene (Spike): Thank you so much for taking some time with me, I’m honored because you are such an inspiration to many. First of all, when did you get into punk music?

Lisa Johnson: The first time I heard it really, I just loved it.

It sticks in your blood.

Definitely.

When did you start taking photos?

I started taking photos really young because I had my dolls and I would set them up in like a certain little viviette, and I wouldn’t remove it because I wanted it to stay that way, so my parents negotiated with me. I could take a photo if I would deconstruct all of my elaborate castles that I’d built in my room. So, I took some photos but they did not come out correctly. And I had already deconstructed the castle, so that made my parents very frustrated. They said “do it yourself”. I was about five, and I basically couldn’t just be the art director. I had to do the photo too because my parents did not see my vision. So, yeah, at that early age. I ended up figuring it out.

Why do you lean towards shooting in black and white?

I really love photography in black and white. I think theres something very profound about it. Color is cool too, don’t get me wrong, but with black and white images, there’s just something historically significant. It just pops a little more, and there’s less of a distraction in the colors, you know? But I shoot in both.

Are there any bands that you’ve just really loved working with?

Oh yeah. I mean, there’s so many bands that I love working with. Some of them aren’t necessarily famous but they were a lot of fun. I really love shooting Rage Against The Machine, we have a really awesome work relationship, but it wasn’t always easy. We’d have like five voices trying to come to an equal footing into what we were trying to accomplish, but I think once we nailed it, it was really worthwhile. Suzi Moon is another one of my favorites, and a good friend. She’s always fun to shoot.

Can you tell me about some memories you have working with such legends?

His wife (Troy Dendekker) wanted to get some work done, so she was like “here, I got to do the dishes, take the baby.” (referring to newborn baby Jakob). And he’s watching Sally Jessy Raphael, doing a photoshoot for a music magazine, had the dog (Lou) and the baby, and I was just kind of like “Could you just look at the camera? Just for a couple shots?” But I will never forget Sally Jessy Raphael. I wish I could remember the exact episode, but yeah, he was really into that show.

Did you ever think it would become as big as it did?

I guess I felt it, you know? I felt the importance of the child. Who else… Kurt was really fun. He would kidnap the camera, it was really powerful and I think he was almost afraid of how powerful his gaze was, like he didn’t know what to do with it. And his blue eyes, he was just amazing. And Chester, oh my gosh, Chester was so sweet. Those guys (Linkin Park) were awesome. I did some of their earliest photos and we were in Hollywood at their rehearsal space, and they thought it would be fun to climb up on the roof. And so we climbed up, we started at least, we went halfway up the ladder and I realized that maybe I was a little afraid of heights… and Mike (Shinoda) had to coax me up the stairs. But they were awesome. The night before the shoot, I got to take home the CD before anyone had heard it, and then I had to return it to them, you know, and I was just like… this is incredible. Belongs on the airwaves.

Are there any other photos you never expected to get as big as they did?

I actually think that more than that, there are some photos that I have that didn’t get big, and I don’t understand why not.

Is there someone that you haven’t worked with yet, that you would love to photograph?

Oh god, there’s a lot of people I haven’t shot yet. I don’t know, maybe someone like Billie Eilish or something. That would be a fun one to do.

Are there any bands that you’re into right now, and would like more people to know about?

Kerosene Heights, they’re really fun.

How about working with Warped Tour for 30 years now, what has that been like?

So awesome and rewarding. That was a situation where I walked in, and I don’t think they realized how historically significant it would be. But I walked in knowing that it was, so I just started shooting it with that eye to the future looking back. That’s literally how I photographed it every time. So it’s the future looking back, and maybe that’s why they’re in black and white.

Also you work with The Punk Rock Museum too, right?

I do! Like I’m the director of photo acquisitions, and I’ve acquired most of the acquisitions there.

That’s so cool! I got my shirt on today for you.

Oh my gosh! I have to take a picture of that…

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Go visit The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas!

I can attest to that. Whether you’re alone, with a partner, friends, or family, your experience at The Punk Rock Museum will be one you won’t forget. Then you can see some of Lisa’s iconic work for yourself, and support these amazing women that work so hard behind the scenes. It is an absolute honor that I can now say I have a photo by one of the most iconic photographers in punk and rock history, Lisa Johnson.